Comments | Fb:

In a letter to the Rockport Pilot published Wednesday May 4th there were some assertions which are based on very old data, Texas Water Development Board Report 124 issued in 1970, and modeled data instead of actual data for Aransas County, GMA15 Desired Future Condition Explanatory Report just being issued to TWDB.

An abstract of Report 124 reveals that it is based on population of 2,989 in 1960 and contains no analysis of the potential for future growth. It does not consider potential effect on groundwater demand and aquifers resulting from population growth and large industrial users moving into the coast bend now (2016) and in the future. The author of this report did not have a crystal ball and neither did the author of the letter to the Pilot.The reference to the GMA 15 report makes the assumption that the desired future condition of “0” drawdown in 2067 indicates that there is plenty of groundwater. In fact the desired future condition of “0” draw down is the goal which the County is expected to meet by managing groundwater through the action of the Conservation District. Steve Young of Intera, the engineering firm assisting GMA15 and others, confirmed that no actual data was involved in the modeling process for Aransas County. Like the old Report 124, the modeling process made no allowances for growth in demand by industries. Two more good reasons why Aransas County needs a Conservation District – manage consumption and develop real data and forecasts based on forward predictions of demand.Report 124 refers to a need for limiting pumpage to 11,000 acre feet per year to prevent depletion or contamination of the 600,000 acre feet contained by sands underlying the Live Oak Peninsular. (Currently referred to as the Dune Ride Aquifer) The report also indicates that throughout the rest of the County, proper well spacing and managing pumping rates could support long term production of 2,000 acre-feet per year. Another good reason to establish a Conservation District as no other organization exists to do this.The write also speculates that additional fees for permits and surcharges might be required for volume users. And there is a statement which makes little sense that “the current Board promises that they will not regulate wells that produce less than 25,000 gallons per day, although they are not limiting it to that amount.” ??? The Board has stated that permits to operate these wells will not be required and that wells producing less than this amount will not be regulated.Good day to all,Tom CallanChairmanAransas County Groundwater Conservation District